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Structural fasteners and components thereof

Structural fasteners and components thereof description/claims

Benefit is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of the filing date of commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/137,011 filed on May 2, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a structural fastener and components thereof and, in particular, to a captive structural fastener with an integral hold-out feature and components thereof.

2. Background

A variety of fasteners or fastener assemblies (hereinafter “fasteners”) are known for attaching a panel to a sub-structure. Such fasteners are typically designed for use in high stress environments, such as to protect aircraft access panels, and when used in such environments, are referred to as “structural” fasteners. Structural fasteners are used to maintain secure attachment of the panel to the sub-structure panel during conditions of excessive vibration and high loads applied to the panel during flight.

“Captive” fasteners include studs or screws that remain captive in the stud assembly when the panel is removed from the sub-structure. When panels in which captive fasteners have been installed are removed from the sub-structure, the studs remain with the cover, maintaining the position of the studs relative to the panel and eliminating the problem of stud loss or displacement.

Some captive fasteners have “hold-out” features that involve the use of a hollow stud in which a separate retaining mechanism is positioned. These types of studs are difficult to manufacture and assemble, and can be problematic in use because “foreign object debris” (FOD) accumulates in the hollow portion of the stud, over time leading to eventual failure of the fastener.

Captive fasteners are prone to failure for other reasons as well. One reason is due to the fact that other fasteners have reduced life due to breakage of retaining rings, as well as other components of the assemblies. When the retaining ring breaks, depending on the design of the fastener, it often may result in the screw or stud falling out of the assembly, defeating the purpose of using a “captive” fastener assembly.

Of course, breakage of any part of the fasteners may lead to failure and, in addition, may lead to failure of other fasteners if the debris travels and is accumulated in other, un-broken fasteners. Also, this debris could short-out electronic components associated with the aircraft.

Thus, a need in the art exists for a captive structural fastener that reduces or eliminates the problem of foreign object debris.

The present disclosure provides a fastener that includes an integral “hold-out” feature that provides a closed and an extended position.

Another feature of the present disclosure is the provision of a solid, rather than hollow stud, which reduces the amount of foreign object debris. Even though a solid stud is preferred it is noted that in accordance with the present invention principles thereof can also be applied to hollow studs.

Another feature of the present disclosure is the provision of a retaining ring that “floats” within a sleeve, which sleeve protects the retaining ring and minimizes the chance of foreign object debris if the retaining ring should break.

Another feature of the present disclosure is the provision of a fastener with evenly distributed forces along the grommet assembly, rather than localized distribution of force at the tip of a stud. This results in a secure fit of the stud within the grommet assembly and decreases the chance that the stud may be inadvertently released from its captive position.

The fasteners of the present disclosure may also be configured and dimensioned to have a reduced “footprint” for use in relatively small and/or inaccessible areas.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fastening assembly, comprising: a stud assembly including a stud, a retaining ring including two oppositely disposed tabs protruding toward the center of the retaining ring, a first sleeve that is matingly engageable with a second sleeve, the second sleeve including an inwardly disposed channel for receiving the retaining ring; and a receptacle assembly, the receptacle assembly including a bracket constructed and arranged to be secured to a panel, an internally threaded nut, a retaining clamp for securing the nut in the bracket, and a grommet assembly including means defining a bore for receiving the stud therethrough; The stud includes a base, a head, and a shank disposed therebetween, the shank including an exterior surface having a threaded section, the exterior surface including at least two longitudinal channels, each channel including at least two engagement regions for engaging the tabs of the retaining ring.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fastening assembly, comprising: a stud assembly including a stud, a retaining ring including two oppositely disposed tabs protruding toward the center of the retaining ring, and an upper grommet assembly including an inwardly disposed channel for receiving the retaining ring; and a receptacle assembly, the receptacle assembly including a bracket constructed and arranged to be secured to a panel, an internally threaded nut, a retaining clamp for securing the nut in the bracket, and a lower grommet assembly having a bore for receiving the stud therethrough. The stud includes: a base, a head, and a shank disposed therebetween, the shank including an exterior surface having a threaded section, the exterior surface including at least two longitudinal channels, each channel including at least two engagement regions for engaging the tabs of the retaining ring. The lower grommet assembly comprises first and second sleeves that are engaged between a substrate panel to form said bore.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fastening assembly, comprising: a stud assembly including a stud, a retaining ring including two oppositely disposed tabs protruding toward the center of the retaining ring, and at least one sleeve including an inwardly disposed channel for receiving the retaining ring; and a receptacle assembly, the receptacle assembly including a bracket constructed and arranged to be secured to a panel, an internally threaded nut, a retaining clamp for securing the nut in the bracket, and a grommet assembly including means defining a bore for receiving the stud therethrough. The stud includes a base, a head, and a shank disposed therebetween, the shank including an exterior surface having a threaded section, the exterior surface including at least two longitudinal channels, each channel including at least two engagement regions for engaging the tabs of the retaining ring. The retaining clamp engages both the bracket and the nut and provides a single point attachment of the receptacle assembly to the substrate panel.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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